The Republican and Democratic party organizations in McLean County issued statements Wednesday, condemning the fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk — five months after his visit drew a large crowd at Illinois State University.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University, located about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City.
Kirk was a close ally of President Trump and was the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics on college campuses and high schools. He spoke to a large gathering of mostly college students outside Bone Student Center at ISU in April as part of what he called his "American Comeback Tour."
“We lost a great man to senseless violence,” the McLean County Republican Party said in a statement on social media. “His death is a blow against free speech and freedom of thought. We must continue to pursue free speech and truth and not allow the violence stop that mission.”
The McLean County Democratic Party called the shooting “horrific and wrong.”
“Our hearts are with him and his family & friends — and with every American shaken by yet another act of political violence,” according to a post on social media. “Violence is never the answer. We must all reject political violence and gun violence alike. There is no place for it in our communities or our schools — or anywhere. Enough.”
Representatives from the ISU chapter of Turning Point USA declined to comment, citing direction from the organization's leadership.
In a social media post, 16th District U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., asked followers to join him in praying for Kirk and his family.
“The rise in political violence across our country is abhorrent. This vile attack on [Kirk] must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and justice must be served,” LaHood wrote on X.com.
LaHood later followed his post with a media statement saying political violence has become too common in the U.S.
“Charlie was a husband and father to two young children before anything else,” said LaHood. “He did not deserve to die because of his ideological views. Elected officials, the media, and we as Americans must hold ourselves to a higher standard and work to ease the political tensions that have embroiled our nation.”
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., also posted on X.com that his thoughts are with the Kirk family.
“I’m shocked at the political violence that took place in Utah today,” wrote the 17th District representative. “No matter our politics, everyone deserves to be safe. Violence is never the answer to political difference.”
Gov. JB Pritzker expressed similar sentiments in a pair of X.com posts, calling the attack “horrifying” and condemning the shooting.
“No one in this country should have to fear gun violence, whether they’re in class in high school or attending an event on a college campus,” wrote Pritzker.
Former Republican candidate for the Illinois State Senate and House, Desi Anderson, who has spoken several times with Turning Point USA students on the ISU campus, issued a statement that she’s “heartbroken” by news of Kirk’s death.
Anderson said Kirk had the rare ability to galvanize young people around common ideas and handle dissenting viewpoints with grace.
“Charlie Kirk's courage and boldness and conviction to be a voice for the next generation especially the impact on our college campuses with individuals from all backgrounds and beliefs, including here at ISU, is what made him special,” Anderson said in a statement to WGLT.
National media reported late Wednesday that a person of interest is in custody.
Trump has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff until 6 p.m. Sunday to honor Kirk.
WGLT's Lauren Warnecke contributed to this story.
